[lfc-news] Benitez hoping storm clouds have all cleared - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 14 Dec 2004
Benitez hoping storm clouds have all cleared
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

ASKED about his ambitions ahead of the season, a senior professional summed
up the mood at Anfield last August.

"A bit of normality wouldn't go amiss," he said.

"There was too much drama last year. It was like every win or defeat was
the most important of the season."

Over the last fortnight, Liverpool's players have found themselves in
similar territory.

Victory over Olympiakos was perceived by some as the beginning of an epic
period.

Defeat in the derby three days later reversed the gears leading to
premature claims of a 'power shift on Merseyside' with less than half the
season played.

With the soap opera of the AGM and the skipper's future as unwanted
backdrops, memories of last year have made an unwelcome return.

The next four fixtures, though, offer a chance to restore some calm.

Portsmouth, West Brom, Southampton and, to a lesser degree, Newcastle, have
the potential to be run-of-the-mill fixtures.

They represent an opportunity for Liverpool to creep unnoticed towards a
more acceptable position and emerge from the Christmas period in a
healthier state.

A win against Portsmouth tonight would put the Reds sixth, just four points
from the top four.

Manager Rafa Benitez is adamant his side will compete for the Champions
League places and is thankful for a swift opportunity to banish the memory
of Saturday.

"The derby is finished with now," said Benitez.

"There's no point wasting time thinking about the derby defeat. All we lost
is three points.

"I told the players they were allowed one day to be disappointed but after
that they would have to prepare for the next game.

"When you win, it's okay to have a long time between a game. When you lose,
you want to play again quickly.

"You analyse the game more when you lose. We need to respond better when we
concede a goal. We still had 20 minutes left on Saturday to do something.

"Against Olympiakos we scored three goals by playing good football. But
when you play an aggressive side away from home and you start playing long
balls, it makes it easier for them to defend quicker.

"We needed to get wide quicker and use shorter passes. They would have had
more problems. We need to learn from that.

"I didn't like the way we changed our style."

There are those who think the change was partially due to the team
selection. No such controversy is anticipated this evening.

Xabi Alonso will return. So too will Milan Baros, while Steve Finnan is
sure to be favoured ahead of Josemi at right-back.

Benitez's frustration remains his lack of a world-class target man to hold
the ball and bring others into play.

Steven Gerrard is likely to continue playing off the striker until a
recruitment is made in January.

Nicolas Anelka continues to be linked with a return to Anfield as much in
hope as expectation, but Liverpool could be priced out of a bid because
Manchester City rate the French forward at £8m.

Combined with a hefty salary, that is beyond what Benitez can afford unless
investment plans materialise.

But the manager is far from downhearted with the progress of his side,
focusing on the impressive home record, the fact Liverpool are still
fighting on four fronts and stressing the only way is up.

"There are lots of opportunities for us to still think about doing good
things for the club," he said..

"I have seen the statistics today and I thought: 'Okay, we are in a better
position now than a year ago. We have two more points after the same number
of games'.

"But we want to be much better than that.

"Let's not forget we are still in four competitions. Not many clubs are
still in the Carling Cup and the Champions League and have a lot to play
for in the Premiership. Then there is the FA Cup to come.

"We have the incentive to work even harder.

"Away from home we are not winning games and that's where we really need to
improve. At Anfield we have done well. We have played well away in some
games but not scored enough goals.

"Some said to me: 'Are you sure you will finish in the top four?' I said:
'Of course.' Why not?? "

Four wins out of four will make that argument more persuasive.

Beyond that? Chelsea arrive at Anfield on January 1 and the circus comes
back to town.



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